
Rally Croatia 2022 did not start well for two of the leading drivers. In the first stage Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, losing one minute and twenty seconds.
Lappi Esapekka / Ferm Janne Toyota Yaris Rally1 destroyed their suspension and remained out of the race.
Greensmith Gus / Andersson Jonas Ford Puma Rally1 went off the track, but they were lucky and lost only 25 seconds.
The column was led by Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), followed by Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1).
A cold and wet track welcomed the competitors in Croatia. But that was not the biggest problem. The flat tires from the first stage were too many, but after the second they became frightening.
Loubet Pierre-Louis / Landais Vincent burst 3 tires in the stage.
In addition to flat tires, many accidents, including the Fourmaux Adrien / Coria Alexandre in stage 3.
After the first service today, the start was Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), with a lead of 12.5 seconds over Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1).
A 40-second penalty on Thierry Neuville in the fifth stage gave Rovanperä a very comfortable lead.
Here is how Neuville describes its problems: We had an alternator issue earlier today and we changed the belt, but we lost it again on the way to service. 800m before service the car completely stopped and we had to push it. It was a tricky stage in here and I couldn't rely on the information I had, so I had to drive with my eyes.
In the next 6th stage, Tänak Ott / Järveoja M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) moved Neuville from second place.
In difficult conditions, a very dirty track and in combination with fog allowed Neuville to regain second place.
At the end of Day 1 of Rally Croatia, Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) led by 1:04.0 ahead of Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1). The third position is for Tänak Ott / Järveoja M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) at 1:23.3. In the battle for third place tomorrow will be Breen Craig / Nagle Paul (Ford Puma Rally1), who are 1:35.2 of the drivers.
First in RC2 and 9th in the overall standings are Rossel Yohan / Sarreaud V. (Citroën C3 Rally2).
A total of 8 stages are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 23.

Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) won the Rally Sweden 2022 second round of the World Rally Championship. Rovanperä's main competitors, Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), were eliminated in the first Sunday of the CE 16.
In the final stage on Saturday's last turn, Evans left the track hit in the snow and subsequently hit a mobile pole for track lighting and cut off the final light.
However, he finished on an alternative route, but was penalized with 10 seconds, which for the small lead in the battle with Rovanperä seemed a lot.
In the end, Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) won with a 22.0 second lead over Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1), who managed to make their best ranking in a long time .
Third place went to Lappi Esapekka / Ferm Janne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) at +30.6 seconds.
Power stage today was taken by Tänak Ott / Järveoja M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1), who had nothing to lose and drove at full throttle. In the general classification Tänak is 19th.
Mikkelsen A. / Eriksen T. (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) finished first in RC2.
Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne came out on top in the championship with 46 points, and the absence of Ogier and Loeb allowed Rovanperä to break ahead of Neuville 32 points.

Rovanperä K. / Halttunen Jonne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) continue to lead after the end of the second day of Rally Sweden.
Yesterday, in the second part of the day, Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) and Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) took the lead.
Rovanperä managed to maintain their leading position today, as in stage 12 Elfyn Evans was only 1.2 seconds behind Rovanperä.
After the second day and a total of 15 stages of the Finns' lead over Evans Elfyn / Martin Scott (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) is 8.3 seconds. The third position is for Neuville T. / Wydaeghe M. (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) at +21.7 seconds. Quite close after the Belgian are Lappi Esapekka / Ferm Janne (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1), who will fight tomorrow to enter the podium or even more in the remaining 4 stages until the final.
In the RC2 category, the Norwegians Mikkelsen A. / Eriksen T. (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) were first, followed by the other Norwegians Veiby O. / Skjærmoen S. (Volkswagen Polo Gti R5) just 10.9 seconds behind Mikkelsen.